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Xtra Time Web Desk: New Zealand batsman Henry Nicholls is more wary of the Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of the ICC World Test Championship final at Southampton. Both the spinners had played a crucial role in India’s dominance in the longer format in recent times.

 “India have a very good seam attack and also have experienced spinners like Ashwin and Jadeja. They have been consistent in all parts of the world (of late) and bring quality (to the attack),” Nicholls, who has been in good form of late in Test cricket, told PTI in an interview.

If there are no injury concerns, the Indian pace troika that is expected to be in the playing XI for the clash starting June 18 would be Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami.

“Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Ishant Sharma have proven their quality over the years which are similar to our seamers (Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Neil Wagner) on whom we really pride ourselves on.”

“So if you are facing that kind of a line-up, it’s an exciting challenge and as a group we are expecting it to be tough but also looking forward to the challenge,” the 29-year-old southpaw, who enjoys a 43 plus average over 37 Test matches, said.

Nicholls was part of the New Zealand team that thrashed India inside three days in two home Tests in early 2020, something that will give them confidence going into the final.
“It’s an exciting challenge as finally we will be playing a Test match at a neutral venue, so that for both sides kind of levels the playing field.

“We beat them 2-0 a season back (2019-20). But we know and accept that it’s a different challenge but as a group we take a lot of confidence from that series win against India. Obviously, number one and two playing the final is a challenge too,” he said.

Nicholls have been the batsman in form for the BlackCaps with scores of 174 (vs West Indies), 56, 11 and 157 (vs Pakistan) in his last three tests.

With Inputs from PTI